Key definitions Flashcards
Conformity
A change in a person’s behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people.
Internalisation
A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. It leads to a far-reaching and permanent change in behaviour, even when the group was absent
Identification
A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way with the group because we value it and want to be part of it. But we don’t necessarily agree with everything the majority believes.
Compliance
A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it. The change in our behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us.
Informative social influence
Explanation of conformity that states that we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be correct as well. This may lead to internalisation.
Normative social influence
Explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted, gain social approval and be liked. May lead to compliance.
Group size
Asch increased the size of the group by adding more confederates, thus increasing the size of the majority. Conformity increased with group size, but only up to a point, leveling off when the majority was greater than 3.
Unanimity
The extent to which all the members of a group agree. In Asch’s studies, the majority was unanimous when all the confederates selected the same comparison line. This produced the greatest degree of conformity in the naive ppts.
Task difficulty
Asch’s line-judging task is more difficult when it becomes harder to work out the correct answer. Conformity increases because naive ppts assume that the majority is more than likely to be right.
Social roles
The ‘parts’ people play as members of various social groups. These are accompanied by expectations we and others have of what is appropriate behaviour in each role.
Obedience
A form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order. The person issuing the order is usually a figure of authority, who has the power to punish when obedient behaviour is not forthcoming.
Situational variables
Milgram identified several factors that he believed influenced the level of obedience shown by ppts. They’re all related to the external circumstances rather than to the personalities of the people involved, e.g. proximity, location, uniform.
Proximity
The physical closeness or distance of an authority figure to the person they are giving an order to. Also refers to the closeness of the teacher to the victim (learner) in Milgram’s studies.
Location
The place where the order is issued. The relevant factor that influences obedience is the status or prestige associated with the location.
Uniform
People in positions of authority often have a specific outfit that is symbolic of their authority. This indicates to the rest of us who is entitled to expect our obedience.
Agentic state
A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our own actions as we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure, i.e. as the agent. This frees us from the demands of our conscience and allows us to obey even a destructive authority figure.
Legitimacy of authority
An explanation for obedience which suggests that we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us. This authority is justified (legitimate) by the individual’s position of power within a social hierarchy.
Dispositional explanation
Any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individual’s personality. Such explanations are often contrasted with situational explanations.
Authoritarian personality
A type of personality that Adorno argued was especially susceptible to obeying people in authority. Such individuals are also thought to be submissive to those of higher status and dismissive of inferiors.
Resistance to social influence
Refers to the ability of people to withstand the social pressure to conform to the majority or to obey authority. This ability to withstand social pressure is influenced by both situational and dispositional factors.
Social support
The presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey can help others to do the same. These people act as models to show others that resistance to social influence is possible.
Locus of Control (LOC)s.
Refers to the sense we each have about what directs events of our lives.
Internals believe that they are mostly responsible for what happens to the (internal LOC).
Externals believe it is a matter of luck or other outside forces (external LOC).
Minority influence
A form of social influence in which a minority of people persuade others to adapt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours. Leads to internalisation or conversion, in which private attitudes are changed as well as public behaviours.
Consistency
Minority influence is most effective if the minority keeps the same beliefs, both over time and between all the individuals that form the minority.
It’s effective because it draws attention to the minority view.
Commitment
Minority influence is more powerful if the minority demonstrates dedication to their position, for example, by making personal sacrifices.
This is effective because it shows that the minority is not acting out of self-interest.
Flexibility
Relentless consistency could be counter-productive if it is seen by the majority as unbending and and unreasonable.
Therefore minority influence is more effective if the minority show flexibility by accepting the possibility of compromise.
Social influence
The process by which individuals and groups change each other’s attitudes and behaviours. Includes conformity, obedience and minority influence.
Social change
This occurs when whole societies, rather than just individuals, adopt new attitudes, beliefs and ways of doing things.
